California Welcome Centers in the High Sierra

As the gateway to California’s natural wonders located in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, the Welcome Centers in Truckee and Mammoth Lakes are great base camps and information hot spots for travelers. Stop in via car or train at the California Welcome Center Truckee, off of Interstate 80, for all your travel information needs while exploring the Tahoe region and beyond. The California Welcome Center in Mammoth Lakes, located off Highway 395, provides the best possible information to travellers in the Eastern Sierra, in addition to issuing backcountry permits, leasing bear boxes and offering local and educational-based souvenirs for purchase.

Whether you are here in pursuit of adventure, to partake in Truckee’s “foodie” scene, enjoy the multitude of special events that take place all year, or just relax and enjoy the blue skies and amazing smell of the pine trees, Truckee welcomes you.

California Welcome Center - Mammoth Lakes

Mammoth Lakes’ motto is, ‘Come as you are. Do what you love.’ This applies to the surrounding area as well. As the gateway to California’s natural wonders located in the Eastern Sierra, Mammoth Lakes is a great base camp and information hot spot for travelers.

During the summer, the most popular reasons people visit the area is to take in the natural sightseeing, hike, participate in other outdoor sports like fishing and biking, and learn about mining history. The Mammoth Lakes area also has a robust summer festival season. During the winter, Mammoth Mountain is the main attraction in the area for skiing and snowboarding, along with other outdoor snow activities.

The California Welcome Center located in Mammoth Lakes is unique. This Center is a collaboration of multiple agencies to provide the best possible information to travelers. These partners include: US Forest Service, National Park Service, Mammoth Lakes Tourism and Eastern Sierra Interpretive Center. In addition to information and referrals, this center also issues backcountry permits, sells local and educational-based souvenirs and leases bear boxes.

Access is easy. Take the scenic and not so curvy US 395 or fly! The Mammoth Yosemite Airport is only 10 minutes from Mammoth Lakes. Flights are available year-round on Alaska Airlines, and during the winter on United Airlines.

Regions

Pick a region form the map or the list below to explore.

Regions

Scroll down to explore the twelve regions of California.

1. Shasta Cascade

This region, in California’s northeast corner, is known for mountains, forests, waterfalls, and amazing, safe-to-visit volcanoes. The region, a 3-hour drive north of Sacramento, gets its name from the rugged Cascade Mountains and their signature peak in state, 14,180-foot/4,322-meter Mount Shasta—yes, a volcano.

Highlights

2. North Coast

With crashing waves along the coast and soaring redwood trees blanketing miles of uncrowded parkland, this is one of California’s most spectacular regions. The largest city, Eureka, is roughly a 5-hour drive north of San Francisco—but what a drive: see lush wine country, charming hamlets, spouting whales, and breathtaking sunsets.

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3. Gold Country

The western foothills of the Sierra Nevada Range, defining California’s eastern border, are known as the Gold Country, named after the rich Mother Lode discovered here in the mid-1850s. While gold is still found in the region, new riches include top museums and art in Sacramento, the state capital, plus whitewater rafting, tucked-away towns, farm-fresh dining, and award-winning wines.

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4. San Francisco Bay Area

On the western oceanfront of Northern California, at the state’s distinctive bend along the coast, lies this breathtaking region. It’s framed by an unforgettable gateway—the iconic Golden Gate Bridge—spanning the mouth of San Francisco Bay. Explore diverse cities, picturesque hamlets, family-friendly beaches, coastal parklands, and wine country, including Napa and Sonoma wine country, 1½ hours north of San Francisco.

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5. High Sierra

Nicknamed “California’s backbone,” this region of towering granite peaks defines much of the state’s eastern boundary. Visit Yosemite Valley, Lake Tahoe, Mammoth Lakes, and the giant trees of Sequoia/Kings Canyon National Parks—all within a day’s drive of either San Francisco or L.A. In winter, enjoy snow sports; in summer, go hiking, mountain biking, fishing, or boating.

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6. Central Valley

Running right down the middle of California, this broad region contains some of most productive farmland in the world. Wine country around Lodi features big, bold reds. Further south, the Fresno has a lively arts scene.

8. Deserts

This dramatic region takes up the southeastern half of the state. Remarkable desert parklands, including Death Valley, Joshua Tree, and Anza-Borrego, provide an extraordinary chance to explore, while the oasis-like allure of Palm Springs, 3 hours northeast of San Diego, offers sunny resort-style getaways, with golf, tennis, spas, and high-end shopping.

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9. Inland Empire

This densely populated Southern California region has surprising alpine getaways, like Big Bear and Lake Arrowhead, in the impressive San Bernardino Range. On the region’s sunny east side, explore the inviting Temecula Valley wine region. The university town of Riverside is the region’s largest city. San Bernardino, the second largest city, has museums and impressive shopping, while Fontana has NASCAR racing.

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10. Los Angeles County

This sunny region along the state’s southern coast is California’s most populated region, best known as the capital of the entertainment industry. Here, movie stars really do work in Hollywood, play in the surf at Malibu, and shop in Beverly Hills. Looping freeways make the car king, but the region also has a surprisingly good network of buses and light rail—a hassle-free way to explore.

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11. Orange County

Tucked between San Diego and Los Angeles Counties, this region is known for flawless beaches and “the happiest place on earth,” Disneyland Resort. Anaheim, the theme park’s home, offers a surprisingly hip vibe in a refurbished downtown. Newport Beach has dazzling yachts, Huntington Beach has iconic surfing, and Costa Mesa beckons with top shopping.

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12. San Diego County

This sun-and-surf region is known for some of the best weather and warmest water in the state. San Diego, the state’s second largest city, is home to the San Diego Zoo in Balboa Park, one of the world’s great urban parks. For family fun, play at Seaworld San Diego and Legoland California. Inland, discover surprising mountain towns like Julian, known for orchards and apple pie.